Hoof-pad.



. Patnted Supt. l7, I901. C. S. CABKIM "00F PAD.

- (Application filed Dec. 10, 1900.)

(In Model.)

UNITED STATES:

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES s. OARKINpOF KEENE, ivnw HAMPSHIRE.

HOOF-PAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 682,789, datedSeptember 17, 1901. Application filed December 10, 1900- Serial lio-39,372. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES S. CARKIN, a citizen of the UnitedStatcs,residing at Keene, in the county of Cheshire and State of NewHampshire, have invented a new and useful Hoof-Pad, of which thefollowing is'a specification.

This invention relates to hoof-pads; and the object of the same is toprovide a simple and effective device of this character comprising anantomatically-distending cushion covering the frog and bottom of a hootinside the line of the shoe to prevent balling and filling up of thesame, particnlarlyin winter, and also to absorb the concussion of thefeet of the horse in traveling, the improved pad permitting the use ofan ordinary shoe with calks to prevent slipping.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of theseveral parts,'whioh will be more fully hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hoof and portion ofa horses limb, showing the improved pad applied in operative position.Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the improved pad looking towardthe top thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates an upper layer or thickness of leather or othersuitable material which is shaped to provide a peripheral-edge contourconforming to that of the hoof to which it is applied. The intermediateportion of said layer is formed with a depression or cavity 2 to fitover the inner or frog portion of the hoof, and the leather or othermaterial inwardly from the margin of said cavity is provided with aplurality of openings 3. The marginal portion 4 of a layer or suitablethickness 5 of rubber or rubber compound is firmly secured to the underside of the layer 1 around the location of the cavity or depression 2,and below the latter the layer or thickness 5 is left sufliciently fullor primarily shaped to form a hollow depending pad 6, which is adaptedto lie within the line of the inner edge of a horseshoe and be free tocollapse and distend. The top portion of the layer 1 is disposed againstthe bottom of the hoof and the air is forced into the pad 6 through theopenings 3 by said operation. The shoe 7 is then placed on the marginalportion 4 of the layer or thickness 5 and secured in the ordinary mannerby nails, which are driven through both layers 1 and 5 into the hoof,and the latter afterward dressed, as usual. When the shoe is fastened inplace, as stated, it will be understood that the edges of the layer 1will be held in such close relation to the hoof as to form a tightjoint, but the air will be permitted to enter at the heel portion andenter the pad 6 through the openings 3 after the pad has been compressedby the weight of the animal in stopping. When the hoofis brought downfirmly on the surface over which the horse is traveling, the pad 6 iscompressed and the air forced out through the openings 3 into the cavity2, and from thence escapes at the rear. It'will be understood, however,that the compression of the pad is not completely efiected, and thetendency of the same to resume its normal position when the hoof israised will cause an indrawing of the air or set up a suction, and thusin alternation the pad will be compressed and distended and concussionabsorbed and prevented i'rom aifecting the legs and joints of theanimal. It will also be seen that the operation of the pad will set up abeneficial circulation of air between the layer 1 and the bottom of thehoof, and the hoof will thus be prevented from sweating and becomingfetid. The pad will depend low enough to perform its function inconnection with a shoe having calks thereon, and thus slipping will beobviated by the ordinary means employed for such purpose and a reliablefoothold will at all times be provided. It is also'well known thatrubber indirect contact with the hoof of a horse or other animal isinjurious and unhealthy, and by interposing the leather layer 1 in thepresent construction this disadvantage is entirely overcome.

The improved pad as an entirety is easily constructed and is of adurable nature, and in addition to the obvious prevent-ion of collectionand congregation of any kind of material against the frog and on thebottom of the hoof and the other advantages heretofore set forth the useof the device will disclose many other advantages in curing defectsfound in different animals, and it is obvious also that changes in theform, size, proportions, and minor details may be restored to withoutdeparting from the principle of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is Ahoof-pad comprising an upper layer or thickness of leather with acentral depressed cavity having a plurality of openings therethrough andcongregated close to the center to leave a closed portion around thesame and the margin of the cavity to form a seat for an air-chamberdirectly under the frog of the hoof of the animal to which it isapplied, the

